Haptic system with increased LRA bandwidth

ABSTRACT

A method of generating a haptic effect on a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”) having a resonant frequency includes receiving a haptic effect signal for the haptic effect, where the haptic effect comprises a desired frequency that is off-resonant from the LRA. The method further includes generating a first sine wave at the desired frequency and generating a second sine wave at or near the resonant frequency. The method further includes combining the first sine wave and the second sine wave to generate a drive signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/105,481, filed on Dec. 12, 2013, currently pending, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/736,912, filed on Dec. 13, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/790,190, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. The contents of each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

One embodiment is directed generally to a system that generates haptic effects, and in particular to a system that generates haptic effects using a linear resonance actuator.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Portable/mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smartphones, camera phones, cameras, personal digital assistants (“PDA”s), etc., typically include output mechanisms to alert the user of certain events that occur with respect to the devices. For example, a cell phone normally includes a speaker for audibly notifying the user of an incoming telephone call event. The audible signal may include specific ringtones, musical ditties, sound effects, etc. In addition, cell phones may include display screens that can be used to visually notify the users of incoming phone calls.

In some mobile devices, kinesthetic feedback (such as active and resistive force feedback) and/or tactile feedback (such as vibration, texture, and heat) is also provided to the user, more generally known collectively as “haptic feedback” or “haptic effects”. Haptic feedback can provide cues that enhance and simplify the user interface. Specifically, vibration effects, or vibrotactile haptic effects, may be useful in providing cues to users of electronic devices to alert the user to specific events, or provide realistic feedback to create greater sensory immersion within a simulated or virtual environment. In order to generate vibration effects, many devices utilize some type of actuator/motor or haptic output device. Known actuators used for this purpose include a linear resonance actuator.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a method of generating a haptic effect on a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”) having a resonant frequency. The method includes receiving a haptic effect signal for the haptic effect, where the haptic effect comprises a desired frequency that is off-resonant from the LRA. The method further includes generating a first sine wave at the desired frequency and generating a second sine wave at or near the resonant frequency. The method further includes combining the first sine wave and the second sine wave to generate a drive signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a haptically-enabled system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the handling of the frequency parameter of a haptic effect in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a complex waveform using a carrier wave in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a complex waveform using a scaled product in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate various waveforms of the scaled product in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the functionality of the system of FIG. 1 when generating haptic effects using an LRA in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example graph of an LRA generating haptic effects primarily at resonant frequency, and a graph of an LRA generating haptic effects with an increased range/bandwidth in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment is a system that generates haptic effects using a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”). Embodiments combine multiple signals in order to drive the LRA at off-resonant frequencies to increase the bandwidth of the LRA.

One type of LRA may use a movable mass, permanent magnet, voice coil and spring to generate vibrations. The voice coil produces a magnetic field which interacts with the permanent magnet, causing it to move, which compresses or stretches the spring to which it is attached. The drive signal needs to alternate the direction of current (i.e., an alternating current (“AC”) signal) and generate the magnetic field to make the permanent magnet oscillate back and forth with the spring. The moving mass is attached to the magnet, and the moving of the mass back and forth generates the vibrations. Another type of LRA may include two or more layers of piezo-electric ceramics with a mass attached so that when the piezo bends, the mass moves in a linear/oscillating fashion. Additional types of LRAs that include a vibrating motor that is driven with an oscillating signal can also be used with embodiments disclosed herein.

AC drive signals can have a frequency and an amplitude. The higher the amplitude the greater the vibration output for a given frequency. However, the frequency of the drive signal can be an important factor. An LRA has a resonant frequency which the input signal should operate at, in order to maximize the vibration generated. Vibration performance drops off significantly when the input signal frequency is moved too far from the resonant frequency. Therefore, most haptic devices apply a drive signal at the resonant frequency of the LRA when generating haptic effects. Most LRAs used to generate haptic effects have a resonant frequency within the 150-200 Hz range.

In contrast with known haptic systems that use LRAs, the type of haptic effects generated by embodiments of the present invention require an increased range/bandwidth of an LRA, outside of its resonant frequency, to be effective. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a haptically-enabled system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System 10 includes a touch sensitive surface 11 or other type of user interface mounted within a housing 15. System 10 further includes a pen/stylus 13 that is in communication with the rest of system 10 using a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) or wired communication link.

Internal to system 10 is a haptic feedback system that generates vibrations 30, 31 on stylus 13, as well as optionally on other areas of system 10, such as on touch surface 11 or housing 15. The haptic feedback system includes a processor or controller 12. Coupled to processor 12 is a memory 20 and an actuator drive circuit 16, which is coupled to an LRA 18. Processor 12 may be any type of general purpose processor, or could be a processor specifically designed to provide haptic effects, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”). Processor 12 may be the same processor that operates the entire system 10, or may be a separate processor. Processor 12 can decide what haptic effects are to be played and the order in which the effects are played based in part on high level parameters. In general, the high level parameters that define a particular haptic effect include magnitude, frequency and duration. Low level parameters such as streaming motor commands could also be used to determine a particular haptic effect. A haptic effect may be considered “dynamic” if it includes some variation of these parameters when the haptic effect is generated or a variation of these parameters based on a user's interaction.

Processor 12 outputs the control signals to actuator drive circuit 16, which includes electronic components and circuitry used to supply LRA 18 with the required electrical current and voltage (i.e., “motor signals”) to cause the desired haptic effects. System 10 may include more than one LRA 18, or other type of actuator, and each actuator may include a separate drive circuit 16, all coupled to a common processor 12.

Memory device 20 can be any type of storage device or computer-readable medium, such as random access memory (“RAM”) or read-only memory (“ROM”). Memory 20 stores instructions executed by processor 12. Among the instructions, memory 20 includes a haptic effects module 22 which are instructions that, when executed by processor 12, generate drive signals for LRA 18 that increase the output bandwidth of LRA 18, as disclosed in more detail below. Memory 20 may also be located internal to processor 12, or may be any combination of internal and external memory.

Touch surface 11 recognizes touches, and may also recognize the position and magnitude of touches on the surface. The data corresponding to the touches is sent to processor 12, or another processor within system 10, and processor 12 interprets the touches and in response can generate haptic effect signals. Touch surface 11 may sense touches using any sensing technology, including capacitive sensing, resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, pressure sensing, optical sensing, etc. Touch surface 11 may sense multi-touch contacts and may be capable of distinguishing multiple touches that occur at the same time. Touch surface 11 may be a touchscreen that generates and displays images for the user to interact with, such as keys, dials, etc., or may be a touchpad with minimal or no images.

System 10 may be a handheld device, such a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), smartphone, computer tablet/pad, gaming console, etc., or may be any other type of device that includes a haptic effect system that includes one or more LRAs. System 10 may also be a wearable device (e.g., a bracelet, armband, glove, jacket, vest, pair of glasses, shoes, belt, etc.) that includes one or more LRAs that generate haptic effects. The user interface may be a touch sensitive surface, or can be any other type of user interface such as a mouse, touchpad, mini-joystick, scroll wheel, trackball, game pads or game controllers, etc.

In one embodiment, LRA 18 and drive circuit 16 are located within stylus 13, and generate haptic effects directly on stylus 13. In this embodiment, the remaining elements of the haptic effect system are located within housing 15, and are in communication with stylus 13. As discussed above, system 10 requires LRA 18 to have a wider frequency response range than standard LRAs because it has a need to generate a wide variety of haptic effects to be designed off-resonance. For example, one embodiment generates haptic effects on stylus 13 to simulate a texture when used by a user to “draw” on screen 11. Further generated haptic effects by LRA 18 can cause stylus 13 to simulate a pen or pencil using different off-resonance haptic signals (i.e., stylus 13 can feel to a user like a pencil or a pen, depending on which haptic effect is generated by LRA 18). These types of haptic effects may further require the independent variation of the frequency and strength of the vibration.

Known haptic effect systems (e.g., the “Touchsense 3000” from Immersion Corp.) that use an LRA typically use a controller to communicate the haptic drive signal using a pulse-width modulation (“PWM”) signal (i.e., a rectangular pulse wave whose pulse width is modulated). These known systems require an AC drive signal whose frequency generally corresponds to the actuator's resonant frequency (typically 175 Hz). In contrast, one embodiment allows for the independent control of frequency and strength on the LRA to increase the bandwidth of the LRA.

FIG. 2 illustrates the handling of the frequency parameter of a haptic effect in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 2, the haptic effect is ultimately rendered or played by a “TS5000 Player” from Immersion Corp. and will be interpreted in different ways based on its frequency characteristics.

Specifically, for low frequencies (e.g., less than 20 Hz) such as input effect 202, the frequency and wave shape will be interpreted as an envelope. For example, if the effect is a sine wave, the strength of the effect will rise and fall following the shape of the sine wave. The output effect 208 will be at the resonant frequency of the LRA and will be modulated by the input effect 202. Depending on actuator capabilities, this pulsing effect can only be done if the designed frequency is around 20 Hz or lower in one embodiment. The exact frequency for this pulsing range depends on the LRA's resonant frequency and the rise time (or the time it takes the actuator to reach nominal acceleration).

For high frequencies (e.g., greater than 150 Hz) such as input effect 210, the frequency parameter will be passed through to a Service Provider Interface (“SPI”) 213 or other interface unit. SPI 213 in one embodiment is responsible for sending the frequency and strength values to stylus 13 (over Bluetooth or other medium), and scales the effect strength to match the envelope. This technique is effective for a range of frequencies near the resonance frequency of the LRA (e.g., approximately 150-250 Hz).

In contrast to the “low” and “high” frequency haptic effects described above, for “mid-range” frequency haptic effects (e.g., 20-150 Hz), embodiments transition between the above modes. The frequency range depends upon the actuator used and could be lower than a typical or common medium frequency range for an LRA. For example, the lower end of the middle range could be less than or equal to 2 Hz and a high end of the middle range could be equal to or greater than 200 Hz. Embodiments implement one or more of the below techniques for transitioning between the high and low frequency in order to generated increased LRA bandwidth haptic effects.

Transition Point

In one embodiment, a single point in the critical range (i.e., “mid-range” frequencies, for example, 20-150 Hz) is selected. Any desired frequency below that point is rendered by enveloping a signal at resonant frequency with a sine wave at the desired frequency. Any desired frequency above this point is used to directly drive the actuator. However, the transition from one drive mode to the other may be abrupt and the strength of the vibration may be very weak near the transition point. The greater the disparity between the wavelength of the signal at resonance and rise time plus fall time, the less effective the single transition point becomes.

The transition point may be determined algorithmically by measuring acceleration using an accelerometer mounted to the device, such as being mounted on LRA 18. The drive signal for the test is made up of a sine or square wave at the device's resonant frequency multiplied by a sine wave that varies in frequency from low to high (frequency sweep), spanning the critical range. The acceleration will rise and fall with the envelope wave and the peak acceleration during each period decreases as the envelope frequency increases. Additionally, a sine wave frequency sweep (without the resonant component) is played, generating a second acceleration trace that generally increases in strength as the frequency increases until it reaches the resonant frequency of the device. The best transition point for optimizing strength is where the graphs of these two accelerometer traces cross.

In another embodiment, the transition point may be determined manually by a user feeling these two frequency sweeps. It may be desirable to have a lower or higher transition point based on personal preference or other factors.

Design Choice

In another embodiments, the transition point can be a design-time decision, so that the haptic effect designer (using, e.g., the “Haptic Studio” from Immersion Corp.) may choose which mode to use for the effect. Embodiments may implement this decision by providing an additional parameter to the definition of the effect, expanding existing parameters to include additional discrete values, or repurposing or redefining existing parameters.

Carrier Wave

Another embodiment uses the desired frequency of the haptic effect as a carrier wave added to the resonant frequency. In order to increase the useable frequency range while maintaining the strength in the transitional region, two complex waveforms may be used. FIG. 3 illustrates a complex waveform 300 using a carrier wave in accordance with one embodiment. Waveform 300 of FIG. 3 is the sum of two sine waves, although the higher frequency wave can also be a square wave. Waveform 300 is defined as follows: y=V _(desired) [A sin(2πf _(desired) t)+B sin(2πf _(resonant) t)] where A+B=1, V_(desired) is the desired driving voltage of the actuator, and f_(resonant) is an integer multiple of f_(desired) that is as close as possible to the true resonant frequency of the LRA in order to avoid phasing waveforms. One embodiment determines f_(resonant) by multiplying the desired frequency f_(desired) by an integer so that the result is as close as possible to the true resonant frequency. For example, if the actual resonant frequency is 175 Hz and the desired is 55 Hz, a factor of 3 will result in a 165 Hz value for f_(resonant). A factor of 4 would result in a 220 Hz value. 165 Hz is closer to the true resonant frequency, so that is what would be used.

Scaled Product

In another embodiment, to smoothly transition between sine-enveloped pulsing and direct-drive modes, the enveloped signal can be added to a sine wave at or near resonance to produce a composite of both drive signals as follows: y=V _(desired) [A sin(2πf _(desired) t)sin(2πf _(resonant) t)+B sin(2πf _(desired) t)]

where A+B=1. A and B are scaled inversely over the transitional range such that the enveloped resonant signal is dominant at the low end of the range, and the direct-drive signal is dominant near the high end of the range. V_(desired) is the desired driving voltage of the actuator, and f_(resonant) is a multiple of f_(desired) that is as close as possible to the true resonant frequency of the actuator in order to avoid phasing waveforms. FIG. 4 illustrates a complex waveform 400 using a scaled product in accordance with a embodiment.

FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate various waveforms of the scaled product in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5a illustrates a resonant frequency waveform 501 and a slow enveloped waveform 502 to which it will be multiplied by in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5b illustrates a scaled envelope waveform 503 of FIG. 5a in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5c illustrates a scaled direct drive waveform 504 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5d illustrates a scaled composite waveform 505 formed from the scaled envelope waveform 503 of FIG. 5b added to the scaled direct drive waveform 504 of FIG. 5c in accordance with one embodiment.

In all embodiments described above, driving an LRA off-resonance will result in a reduction of strength in the haptic effect. Therefore, some embodiments boost the off-resonance drive signals to achieve a flatter response curve (i.e., the graph of acceleration measured by accelerometer vs. drive frequency). Embodiments can boost the signal using one or more of the following, in addition to other known methods:

-   -   1. Applying a gain to each sine wave that contributes to the         signal independently;     -   2. Multiplying the computed composite wave by a scale factor         based on the frequencies present; and     -   3. Multiplying the computed composite wave by a predefined scale         factor and applying one or more filters (e.g., notch, high-pass,         low-pass, etc.) to attenuate the strength at the resonant         frequency.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the functionality of system 10 of FIG. 1 when generating haptic effects using an LRA in accordance with one embodiment. In one embodiment, the functionality of the flow diagram of FIG. 6 is implemented by software stored in memory or other computer readable or tangible medium, and executed by a processor. In other embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware (e.g., through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a programmable gate array (“PGA”), a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), etc.), or any combination of hardware and software.

At 602, the haptic effect signal is received. The haptic effect signal has a frequency (i.e., the desired frequency or “f_(desired)”) that is an off-resonant frequency of the LRA (i.e., not at the LRA's resonant frequency) that will generate the haptic effect.

At 604, a sine wave at the desired frequency is generated.

At 606, a sine wave at or near the resonant frequency of the LRA is generated. In one embodiment, the sine wave frequency is the frequency that is an integer multiple of the off-resonant frequency but is as close to the resonant frequency as possible (“f_(resonant)”).

At 608, the sine waves from 604 and 606 are combined and multiplied by the maximum rated driving voltage of the LRA to generate the resultant haptic effect signal. In one embodiment, the sine waves are combined as follows: y=V _(desired) [A sin(2πf _(desired) t)+B sin(2πf _(resonant) t)] In another embodiment, the sine waves are combined as follows: y=V _(desired) [A sin(2πf _(desired) t)sin(2πf _(resonant) t)+B sin(2πf _(desired) t)] The calculations are between 0 and 1, so this resulting scalar would be multiplied by the maximum drive voltage the LRA can handle. In one embodiment, the calculations use integer math in the range of −127 . . . 127 rather than floating point from 0 . . . 1.

As disclosed, embodiments generate haptic effects that include an off-resonant frequency component. In generating the haptic effect, the bandwidth of the LRA that generates the haptic effect is expanded so that it can render the haptic effects. FIG. 7 illustrates an example graph 702 of an LRA generating haptic effects primarily at resonant frequency, and a graph 704 of an LRA generating haptic effects with an increased range/bandwidth in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Several embodiments are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. For example, although some embodiments use an LRA, any system with an actuator device that experiences a sharp fall-off in performance at off-resonance frequencies when generating haptic effects can use embodiments of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of generating a vibratory haptic effect by a linear resonance actuator (LRA) having a resonant frequency, the method comprising: receiving an input haptic effect signal comprising a desired input frequency; determining whether the desired input frequency is below or above a transition point frequency; when the desired input frequency is below the transition point frequency, generating a first output haptic effect signal by enveloping the input haptic effect signal at the resonant frequency with a sine wave at the desired input frequency; and applying the first output haptic effect signal to the LRA to generate the vibratory haptic effect.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: using the input haptic effect signal as a second output haptic effect signal when the input frequency is above the transition point frequency; applying the second output haptic effect signal to the LRA to generate the vibratory haptic effect.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the transition point frequency using an input signal generated by an accelerometer mounted on the LRA or mounted on a device housing the LRA.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first output haptic effect signal comprises a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal at the resonant frequency.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the second output haptic effect signal comprises a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal at the desired input frequency.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second output haptic effect signal is scaled to match an envelope.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein when the desired input frequency is below the transition point frequency, the desired input frequency is an off-resonance frequency.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first output haptic effect signal comprises off-resonance drive signals and the method further comprises boosting the off-resonance drive signals before applying the first output haptic effect signal to the LRA.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the LRA is housed in one of a stylus, a game controller, or a wearable device.
 10. A haptic effect system comprising: a linear resonance actuator (LRA) having a resonant frequency; an actuator drive circuit coupled to the LRA; and a controller coupled to the actuator drive circuit, wherein the controller receives an input haptic effect signal comprising a desired input frequency; wherein the controller is adapted to determine whether the desired input frequency is below or above a transition point frequency, and when the desired input frequency is below the transition point frequency, generate a first output haptic effect signal by enveloping the input haptic effect signal at the resonant frequency with a sine wave at the desired input frequency, and transmit the first output haptic effect signal to the actuator drive circuit, and wherein the actuator drive circuit is adapted to apply the first output haptic effect signal to the LRA, causing the LRA to generate a vibratory haptic effect.
 11. The haptic effect system of claim 10, wherein the controller is further adapted to, when the input frequency is above the transition point frequency, use the input haptic effect signal as a second output haptic effect signal and wherein the actuator drive circuit is further adapted to apply the second output haptic effect signal to the LRA to generate the vibratory haptic effect.
 12. The haptic effect system of claim 10, further comprising: an accelerometer mounted on the LRA or mounted on a housing of the system, wherein the controller is further adapted to determine the transition point frequency using an input signal generated by the accelerometer.
 13. The haptic effect system of claim 10, wherein the first output haptic effect signal comprises a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal at the resonant frequency.
 14. The haptic effect system of claim 11, wherein the second output haptic effect signal comprises a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal at the desired input frequency.
 15. The haptic effect system of claim 14, wherein the second output haptic effect signal is scaled to match an envelope.
 16. The haptic effect system of claim 10, wherein when the desired input frequency is below the transition point frequency, the desired input frequency is an off-resonance frequency.
 17. The haptic effect system of claim 10, wherein the first output haptic effect signal comprises off-resonance drive signals, and wherein the controller is further adapted to boost the off-resonance drive signals before applying.
 18. The haptic effect system of claim 10, wherein the LRA is housed in one of a stylus, a game controller, or a wearable device.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate a vibratory haptic effect by a linear resonance actuator (LRA) having a resonant frequency, the processor adapted to: receive an input haptic effect signal comprising a desired input frequency; determine whether the desired input frequency is below or above a transition point frequency; generate, when the desired input frequency is below the transition point frequency, a first output haptic effect signal by enveloping the input haptic effect signal at the resonant frequency with a sine wave at the desired input frequency; and apply the first output haptic effect signal to the LRA to generate the vibratory haptic effect.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, the processor further adapted to: use the input haptic effect signal as a second output haptic effect signal when the input frequency is above the transition point frequency; apply the second output haptic effect signal to the LRA to generate the vibratory haptic effect. 